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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Bach, J S: Motets, BWV225-230
Although a lot of mystery shrouds their conception, Bach’s motets count amongst his works which were played uninterruptedly in Leipzig from their origin up until now. For this reason interpretative traditions have overlapped in the course of the centuries in these six remarkable pages. Philippe Herreweghe, at the light of recent research, has found inspiration in the Leipzig practices. These traditions give these motets all their glamour, whilst given them stark relief with very different configurations (simple and double chorus, basso continuo, varied instrumentation). Led by outstanding soloists, Collegium Vocale Gent is at the peak of its art. A new version destined to become a milestone! “"Jesu, meine freude" with just five soloists and continuo is perfectly poised, while "Singet dem Herrn" (which Mozart so revered) and "Der Geist hilft" burst into life with more singers and instruments. Throughout, Herreweghe achieves a supremely flexible responsiveness to the texts.” The Observer, 14th August 2011 “The results reflect Herreweghe's sensibility for tonal nuance and, above all, the fashioning of sung texts. An orchestra of strings and winds doubles his vocal A-team in Singet dem Herrn, an extravagance perhaps but a convincing one nonetheless...Honest-to-goodness quality governs Herreweghe's approach, matched by the heartfelt commitment and excellence of his colleagues and exquisitely balanced recorded sound.” Classic FM Magazine, September 2011 “The one-voice-to-a-part lobby doesn't wholly convince Herreweghe; he approaches the instrumentation of each motet on a case-by-case basis, cornetto and trombones lending grandeur to a finely chiselled account of Furchte dich nicht. Three motets do surrender to one-to-a-part treatment, however - and very successful they are too” BBC Music Magazine, October 2011 **** “For expressive eloquence, top marks, but [Herreweghe] is hampered at times by the sense of a "guest" ensemble short on the familiar bearings of a regular vocal outfit - even if this is relative...Vintage Herreweghe in parts, if not in toto.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2011 “Herreweghe has assembled a luxuriously attractive group of soloists...None can be singled out, for they are collectively outstanding and, more to the point, intensely persuasive of Herreweghe's decision to perform as 'solo' works certain motets that are more usually heard tutti...For those who have only heard Herreweghe's earlier recording this is an essential upgrade, but it's also a clear front-runner among other impressive recent versions” International Record Review, Septmeber 2011 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | JS Bach: Die Motetten
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| |  | J S Bach: MotetsRecorded live in London, St John’s Smith Square, 2011
Thirty years on from their acclaimed recording for Erato, Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir return to the Bach Motets in a new SDG recording, taken from a concert in London last year at the end of a tour which saw performances in Italy, France, The Netherlands and Germany. The Motets can be seen as some of Bach’s most perfect and hypnotic compositions. Through their extraordinary complexity and density, they require exceptional virtuosity and sensitivity of all the performers. Each of them is endlessly fascinating, and each inhabits its own sound world, Bach's masterful use of canon, fugue and counterpoint, the brilliant exploitation of double-choir sonorities are perfectly matched by the Monteverdi Choir's virtuosity. The album is packaged in a hard back book similar to our other releases. It contains 44 pages booklet with original notes by John Eliot Gardiner and texts in German, English and French. “performances of surpassing beauty and irresistible dancing energy.” Sunday Times, 6th May 2012 “Utterly sublime.” The Independent, 4th May 2012 “the Monteverdi Choir can turn from Rottweiler into lamb in the blink of an eye...Some might fine Gardiner's approach theatrical; he could persuasively counter that the motets engage unflinchingly with matters of life and death...Gardiner trusts Bach's simplicity and inwardness as much as he relishes his complexity and drama.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2012 ***** “Delicacy and precision characterise the choral singing in every track. The balance between the voice groups allows every detail of the counterpoint to shine through...The singers give a real questing quality to all the counterpoint, as if they are exploring these intricate textures for the first time. Their approach to the homophonic textures is just as sophisticated.” MusicWeb International, August 2012  BBC Music Magazine
Choral & Song Choice - August 2012 |
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| |  | Bach, J S: Motets, BWV225-230
For many years now, the name Eric Ericson is regularly mentioned in connection with Johann Sebastian Bach's choral works. With his chamber choir, the Swedish conductor has set new standards in terms of vocal power and thrilling precision. Audiences and critics alike are delighted. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach, J S: Motets, BWV225-230
Richard Myron (violin), Jan Freiheit (cello) & Tobias Schade (organ) Vocalconsort Berlin, Marcus Creed In Bach's time the exalted place the purely vocal motet had once occupied had already been ceded to the cantata. But alongside this artfully simple ‘functional’ style, Bach perpetuated in his own motets, with incomparable mastery, the tradition handed down by his own ancestors, as preserved in the so-called ‘Old Bach Archive’. Vocalconsort Berlin was founded in 2003 and made its debut the same year in Monteverdi´s L’Orfeo under the direction of René Jacobs at the Innsbruck Festival. The ensemble specialises in early and high Baroque repertoire, but also interprets Romantic and contemporary music. Under the direction of Marcus Creed, René Jacobs, Jos van Immerseel and Ottavio Dantone, the ensemble has worked with the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and the Accademia Bizantina. With the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, it has participated since 2006 in the projects of Sasha Waltz & Guests at Radialsystem V, the new venue for interaction of the arts on the Spree. Marcus Creed, artistic director of the SWR Vokalensemble (South West German Radio Choir) since 2003, studied at King’s College Cambridge, Christ Church Oxford and at the Guildhall. From 1977 to 1998 he was chorusmaster at the Deutsche Oper. In 1987 he became artistic director of RIAS Kammerchor, being awarded many international prizes for his recordings. He has formed close working relationships with Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Freiburger Barockorchester and Concerto Köln. His recordings of works by Bruckner, Ives, Nono and Kurtág with the SWR Vokalensemble have received a number of awards from the critics. “The 18-strong Vocalconsort Berlin give superb performances throughout the disc, with perfect ensembles and impeccable balance. Bach's slurs are beautifully observed and there's a pleasing variety of articulation in the many quaver/semiquaver runs...In today's troubled, discordant world, this CD can be highly recommended for bringing us the heavenly harmony of a supreme composer allied to the Vocalconsort's joyful singing.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2011 “Creed's singers..[flow] with a delightful ease through Bach's taxing figurations - treating voices as if texted instruments. He binds together the contrasting sections of Lobet den Herrn with a constant pulse, trusting Bach's changing note-values to create expressive variety.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2011 **** “The 18-strong Vocalconsort Berlin performs all seven motets identically, that is, chorally, underpinned by discreet organ and string basso continuo...these are well-mannered, well-executed performances, with a close but pleasing recorded balance.” International Record Review, May 2011 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach, J S: Motets, BWV225-230
The Bach motets are considered one of the summits of the choral repertory. Their technical and aesthetic challenges are virtually unparalleled. New College approaches these works with its customary zest and energy, strongly characterizing the forward impulse of the music, and its dramatic qualities. A debate turns around the numbers of singers Bach would have called upon to sing these pieces. What is abundantly clear is that institutional resources dictated the choice, as they do at New College. If New College’s ensemble is slightly larger then Bach’s, both groups, across three hundred years, are composed largely of student voices. This music is for a rising generation of musicians: an exemplar of excellence in polyphonic composition and singing. | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach - Motets
In view of the fact that several of the works are composed for double choir, the usual 16-member choir from the cantata recordings have been slightly expanded to 18 singers, of which some also appear as soloists. Included on the disc are the six motets BWV 225-231, as well as BWV 118 O Jesu Christ, mein’s Lebens Licht and BWV Anh. 159 Ich lasse dich nicht. “The performance is, as you'd now expect from [Suzuki's] Collegium, excellent. Voices range from delicate soloists to a splendidly light and transparent 18-strong chorus. Instrumental support is discreet but colourful...The recording makes its distinctive mark among many competitors.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2010 ***** “The performances are splendid. After its solemn beginning, 'Komm, Jesu, komm' is light, almost flirtatious in places...In 'Jesu, meine Freude', Suzuki finds a perfect balance between drama and lyricism, and 'Singet dem Herrn' is full of rhythmic vitality. Recommended with all possibile enthusiasm.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2010 “This is one of [Harnoncourt's] best CDs and, beautifully recorded, it is still worth exploring...The familiar motets are memorable too, the opening Singet dem Herrn particularly fresh, and Jesu, meine Freude strikingly beautiful.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach, J S: Motets, BWV225-230
Chorus sine nomine, Johannes Hiemetsberger This CD includes some of Bach’s best-known motets; Lobet den Herren, Jesu meine Freude and Komm Jesu komm. Chorus sine nomine is one of Austria’s leading vocal ensembles and has performed in many international venues including the Barbican. | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | JS Bach: Motets
This recording is the result of many years of rewarding collaboration between Maria Lindal’s REbaroque ensemble and the St. Jacobs Chamber Choir. For their first joint recording they have chosen to perform all of J.S Bach’s motets; a collection of strikingly dance-like, varied and virtuosic works for choir and instrumental ensemble. “Graden communicates the essence of the text without fuss and this reaps rewards in a wonderfully smooth-grained and sensitive Jesu meine Freude. Logic and balance prevail over surprise and passion in most of these readings...still an excellent version for those who seek in the Motets a clear, well-lit and equable path to the heart of Bach's personal and transcendental visions of devotion, death and salvation.” Gramophone Magazine, April 2013 “The acoustic setting for the recording is big and fully in scale for these powerful performances, though gentle subtlety is also very much a part of the musicianship here. The magnificent divided choirs of something like Komm, Jesu, komm are the clincher for me in this recording, turning Bach’s motets into something more like a guilty pleasure than a hair-shirt religious duty.” MusicWeb International, 18th April 2013 | 
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Gramophone Magazine
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2011